|
|
 |
Soybean is a common crop in the eastern half of
the state. It was planted on
2.9 million acres. Soybean is a broadleaf (dicotyledon)
crop compared to a
grassy crop like corn or wheat. Soybeans belong to the
legume family. To be part of the legume family, plants have to make
their own nitrogen and develop their fruit in pods.
|
| Most crops require soil applications of nitrogen
for growth and development. However, soybean plants have nodules (round
bumps) on their roots that contain bacteria.
|
 |
These bacteria
take
nitrogen from the air and make the nitrogen available to the
plant. The plant uses the nitrogen to create proteins. Soybeans
are an excellent source of protein for human and animal use.
|
 |
Here
is a close up of soybean flowers. A flower is made of
sepals, petals, stamens and a pistil. The sepals are the green leaf-like
structures below the petals. Of course, the petals, are the bright pink
part of the flower (some soybean flowers are white). In this picture the stamen and the pistils are
covered by the petals. The stamen is the male part of the plant that
contains the pollen. The female reproductive structures are
the pistils.
|
|
After pollination of the flower, a pod is formed. |
 |
Seeds develop inside the pods. |
 |
 |
 |
Soybean
plants are harvested with a combine just like other crops. A combine
is used to separate the grain or seeds from the rest of the plant.
|
| Soybeans are used in many products. Can you think
of any? You might want to go to
your kitchen and look on the labels of some items to see what is in them (you
will be surprised to see all the products that have soybeans in them!).
|
 |
Back to top
|
